Difference between revisions of "Isolette"
(Added the Isolette V, re-jigged the arrangement of pictures a bit.) |
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* [[Agfa Isolette L]] 1957-60 | * [[Agfa Isolette L]] 1957-60 | ||
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==Isolette (1938-42)== | ==Isolette (1938-42)== | ||
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{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3984687578/in/pool-camerawiki | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3984687578/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
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|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
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This first model was a dual format camera: by using 2 internal masks it could be changed from the 6x6cm format to the 4.5x6cm format. There is also a mask for the viewfinder. | This first model was a dual format camera: by using 2 internal masks it could be changed from the 6x6cm format to the 4.5x6cm format. There is also a mask for the viewfinder. | ||
One of the distinctive features is the top housing made of a plastic called "Trolitan"; the post-War camera has a cast aluminium top housing. This camera also has loops to attach a strap, the only version of the Isolette to have these. | One of the distinctive features is the top housing made of a plastic called "Trolitan"; the post-War camera has a cast aluminium top housing. This camera also has loops to attach a strap, the only version of the Isolette to have these. | ||
| − | Different lens and shutter combinations were available, allowing a wide range of levels of specification. This model was called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldier's camera) in Germany during the War. | + | Different lens and shutter combinations were available, allowing a wide range of levels of specification. All have front-element focusing. The shutter release is on the body. This model was called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldier's camera) in Germany during the War. |
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{|class=plainlinks align="center" | {|class=plainlinks align="center" | ||
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<small>Images by [[:Category:Image by Süleyman Demir|Süleyman Demir]]</small> {{with permission}} | <small>Images by [[:Category:Image by Süleyman Demir|Süleyman Demir]]</small> {{with permission}} | ||
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| − | == | + | <div class="floatleft plainlinks" style="margin:0px 20px 10px 0px;"> |
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/5274371955/in/pool-camerawiki | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/5274371955/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
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|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
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| + | ==Isolette (1945-50)== | ||
| + | The first post-War model was made from 1945 till 1950. It is not adjustable to 4.5×6 cm format. The top housing of this model is cast from Hydronalium (Nüral: an aluminium alloy). There were less lens and shutter combinations, offering only the higher levels of specification (no Agnar, nor Vario or Pronto shutters). Most of the lenses are still uncoated.<ref name=McK></ref> Some of the shutters available are synchronised. The camera has an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder). | ||
* Year of release: 1945 | * Year of release: 1945 | ||
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* Viewfinder: reverse-Galilean viewfinder | * Viewfinder: reverse-Galilean viewfinder | ||
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| + | <div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 10px 15px;"> | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3061172185/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
| + | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3061172185_05c7ecaa27.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= | ||
| + | |image_text= Isolette V, with f/4.5 Agnar and Vario shutter. | ||
| + | |image_by= Raúl Sá Dantas | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | ==Isolette V (1950-52)== | ||
| + | The '''Isolette V''' has Agfa's entry-level f/4.5 Agnar triplet lens, and only low-specification shutters (Pronto or Vario). However, the lens is now coated on many examples, and the shutters are synchronised, with a [[PC socket]]. The accessory shoe is either on top of the viewfinder or to one side of it (on earlier examples). There is no body-mounted shutter release. | ||
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==Succeeding models== | ==Succeeding models== | ||
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* the [[Agfa Isolette II|Isolette II]] | * the [[Agfa Isolette II|Isolette II]] | ||
* the [[Agfa Isolette III|Isolette III]] | * the [[Agfa Isolette III|Isolette III]] | ||
| − | |||
* the [[Super Isolette]] | * the [[Super Isolette]] | ||
* the [[Isolette L]] | * the [[Isolette L]] | ||
Revision as of 21:12, 31 October 2011
The Isolette (embossed in the leatherette as JSOLETTE)[1] is a horizontal-folding camera for twelve 6×6 cm (2¼-inch square) pictures (or sixteen 4.5×6 cm (2¼×1⅝ inch) pictures, with the first model of the camera) on 120 film. It was made by Agfa Kamerawerk AG, Munich, Germany, from 1938.[2]
It first came on the market as the Isorette (again, appearing as JSORETTE on the camera), but the name was changed to Isolette within a year.
There are two distinct models of the first Isolette series: the early one (before and during the Second World War) and the post-War one.
Contents
Isolette (1938-42)
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| First model Isolette. image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights) |
This first model was a dual format camera: by using 2 internal masks it could be changed from the 6x6cm format to the 4.5x6cm format. There is also a mask for the viewfinder.
One of the distinctive features is the top housing made of a plastic called "Trolitan"; the post-War camera has a cast aluminium top housing. This camera also has loops to attach a strap, the only version of the Isolette to have these. Different lens and shutter combinations were available, allowing a wide range of levels of specification. All have front-element focusing. The shutter release is on the body. This model was called the "Soldatenkamera" (soldier's camera) in Germany during the War.
- Year of release: 1938[2]
- Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 or 16 exp. 4.5x6 on 120 type rollfilm.
- Shutter: Vario, Pronto, Prontor II, Compur or Compur-Rapid.
- Lens: Igestar 8.5cm f/6.3, Apotar 8.5cm f/4.5 or Solinar 8.5cm f/4.5.
- Viewfinder: reverse-Galilean viewfinder
The earliest cameras have Vario shutters which are not labelled as such.
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| Isolette, first model, about 1938.
Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) | ||||||||
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| Post-War Isolette image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights) |
Isolette (1945-50)
The first post-War model was made from 1945 till 1950. It is not adjustable to 4.5×6 cm format. The top housing of this model is cast from Hydronalium (Nüral: an aluminium alloy). There were less lens and shutter combinations, offering only the higher levels of specification (no Agnar, nor Vario or Pronto shutters). Most of the lenses are still uncoated.[2] Some of the shutters available are synchronised. The camera has an accessory shoe (above the viewfinder).
- Year of release: 1945
- Film Format: 12 exp. 6x6 on 120 film.
- Shutter: Prontor, Prontor-S or Compur-Rapid.
- Lens: Apotar 8.5cm f/4.5 or Solinar 8.5cm f/4.5.
- Double exposure prevention.
- Viewfinder: reverse-Galilean viewfinder
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| Isolette V, with f/4.5 Agnar and Vario shutter. image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights) |
Isolette V (1950-52)
The Isolette V has Agfa's entry-level f/4.5 Agnar triplet lens, and only low-specification shutters (Pronto or Vario). However, the lens is now coated on many examples, and the shutters are synchronised, with a PC socket. The accessory shoe is either on top of the viewfinder or to one side of it (on earlier examples). There is no body-mounted shutter release.
Succeeding models
After 1950, several different models of the Isolette were made at the same time, with different levels of specification:
- the Isolette I
- the Isolette II
- the Isolette III
- the Super Isolette
- the Isolette L
Notes
- ↑ The name is written as Jsolette simply because the capital "I" resembles a "J" in German typography of the time. The embossing on the camera was changed to a modern "I" in 1937. See: Old German Letters
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p25.
